How-to Lampshades

01/13/2018

It's been eons since I've posted a DIY Lampshade Project! I thought I'd share one today with you. I found this sweet cotton vintage French fabric recently and thought it was a good one to demo. It's a medium light weight 100% cotton. Hope you enjoy the process. I am not doing workshops these days....too busy trying to keep up! My book, The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life is out of print and I am out of copies but is available used on Amazon. I have bought the rights to it and may get it re-printed. Fortunately, it's not too dated except some of the resources. Here are the instructions.

NOTE: start with a small size lampshade. You'll thank me! They are MUCH easier and faster. Don't expect your first one to be perfect. It will be good but they keep getting better. I generally get most of my materials at The Lamp Shop in Concord, NH. Make sure NOT to buy poly ribbon. It will not glue for the life of you!!! Also you will find more tips my my archives here on my blog. There's lots to learn...it's been 30 plus years since my kitchen table lampshade start and I'm still learning new things. Have fun!

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STEP 1- Make pattern. Use thin sharpie and mark around the outside of the wire. Then cut out.

STEP 2 - Use pattern and make 5 more panels. I'm making a pair so I'll make 12 total.

STEP 3- Iron fabric. Pull paper backing off the styrene panel and set onto back of fabric. Cut out right along the styrene edge.

STEP 4 Trim panel to fit exactly. I usually have to go back several times to get it to fit perfect. You want the panels to abut and not overlap as they are set onto the frame. See step 8

STEP 5 - run bead of glue around the 4 edges of the first panel. Less is more!

STEP 7 set panel on top of glue and secure with clothes pins.

STEP 8 - finish putting all styrene / fabric panels onto wire. You can see here how the panels should fit. Takes practice to get them this smooth. Trim up if needed. Easiest to do now that later.

STEP 9 - I like to use a long ribbon to hold everything in place while drying. It takes 20 minutes at the most.

STEP 10 Make vertical trims. Cut 6 stripes from the cloth tape also known as pressure sensitive cloth tape or bias trim fold backer. Make them same height as the shade and set onto the back of the fabric. Cut out saving about 1/3" on either side of the tape.

STEP 11- Add glue and fold back onto the tape.

STEP 12- Continue adding glue to the other side and fold back onto the tape.

STEP 13- hand press to make sharp edges.

Step 14- fold in half with the back side inside the fold. This will help the trim glue onto the shade.

STEP 17-Cut grosgrain for top and bottom; measure around top and add one inch. Same for bottom. Must be 40% cotton to stick!!! VERY IMPORTANT. To make fabric trims for top and bottom use the grosgrain ribbon as your yard stick. Cut the same length as ribbon and make similar to the sides/ribs trims.

STEP 18 adding glue for the grosgrain ribbon. Half of the ribbon will glue to the front of the shade and the other half will glue inside the lamp shade.

STEP 19- Cut excess ribbon on diagonal. Over lap 1/2" and glue down onto where it started.

STEP 20 detail of above

STEP 21 another detail, adding glue

STEP 22 - Adding glue to the inside of the ribbon. This takes practice to know how much glue to use. I use enough to secure it smoothly but you do not want so much that it bleeds.

STEP 23- trick for the corners, gather them 3 or 4 times with your thumb to make a nice corner. This takes practice, too. I know I make it look easy.

STEP 24 - Use your nail to tuck the grosgrain under the wire for a neat edge.

STEP 25 - Try to make the edge straight... the lucky part is I almost always add another trim on top if it's not perfectly straight. The finishing trim conceals any flaws!

STEP 26- Add grosgrain onto the top just like the bottom.

STEP 27 - adding the glue to the inside of the ribbon. Note: also make a small snippet where the ribbon will go over the clip top. Only about 1/4". One on each side. I do not show the snippet here, sorry.

STEP 28- You can see where I make the snippet here around the clip top. This photo shows getting the grosgrain snug under the wire for a professional finish.

STEP 29- To make the top and bottom self trims. Glue the same as the vertical trims.

STEP 30- add glue and fold onto the tape

STEP 31- folding onto the tape, detail

STEP 32 - Top self trim is ready to add. Do a few inches at a time. I start adding at the same spot the grosgrain started.

STEP 33- Sometimes it helps to work on your lap. The hardest part about starting a new craft is how to handle the items. I've learned to work lower than higher. Every step has it's own tricks that you will find work best for you. I have so many that I don't even realize that I do:)

STEP 34- When adding the self trims I give them a tug on the corners to help them go on smooth. If you use clothes pins to help secure the trim make sure not to leave them on long or they will leave marks on the trim.

STEP 35- adding the fabric trim to the bottom.

STEP 36 FINISHED! PUT ON LAMP!!! Congrats.

Feel free to ask questions. There is lots of info on DIY in the archives here on my blog. Don't worry too much about your first shade; they get better. It's a fun craft!

09/05/2013

I am visiting my folks in Falmouth, Maine where I grew up. My mom has just gotten a new knee and am around to keep the pieces together. All around the house are many of my old lampshades. It's fun to see the progress of my work. Yes, our work does get better the longer we stay with it. But some of my early work was also really beautiful. I'll post a few of them as well as a few of my early fiber art.

Okay, here's one of the first! Sort of sweet in a folky way. I did cut and pierced shades for about 10 years until my good friend Judy Pascal urged me to try making fabric shades with her vintage fabrics. Thank goodness for Judy! Most lampshade makers that continue making the cut shades end up with carpel tunnel, not to mention lower back pain. Ironically I studied textiles in college... sometimes it just takes longer to end where we are suppose to be.
Here's a sweet embroidery I did before my lampshades. Mom dated it on the back; I think it was 1975. Embroideries are still my favorite to work with in my lampshades.
This must be around 1976. I had a great weaving teacher, Rosalie Smith at North Yarmouth Academy. I hope Rosalie knows how much us crafty ones loved having her share her art with us. Not many high school kids had this level of teaching.

A little more tapestry weaving...
Detail of an early cut lampshade. I loved making up my own patterns from fabric designs or vintage prints.
Here is the full shot. My shade on a Flower Brook Pottery Lamp Base.
More cut and pierced. This one was very popular in it's day. Oh, how easy it was to screw up. Any little fleck of coffee or pen mark or slip of the #11 exacto blade and it was done for!!!
This one has seen better days!detail of shade. These are all hand cut. Many cut and pierced shades these days are die cut, ie cut but machine. You can tell the difference if the cuts look flat they are die cut. If they are hand cut they are cut on an angle. Big difference!!! I ventured into it once, but just didn't want to sacrifice the look.a variation on the paneled shade. These were pretty time consuming as I recall, but I liked the overall pattern.

This is the grand finale of my lampshade history tour! This is the crown jewel! I love loved this pattern. A HUGE challenge. I found the pattern in a victorian pattern book. It was the size of a postage stamp; I blew it up and reworked it to fit the shade. Tons of work. Only did a few of these!!! Of course Mom got one!

Today. Favorite fabric/embroidery/coronation work Lampshade. This is a shade I did last summer for Mom. Love this fabric!

detail of the beautiful vintage textile work.

I guess we never know paths our life will go or where it will continue. At least I don't and kind of like it that way. It's like antiquing or flea marketing--- you never know what treasure might be around the corner or WHO might walk into your shop! Speaking of shops, I am missing my dear shop while I'm here in Maine, but a little sabbatical will only spur the creativity for foliage. My hands are really happy to take a break from work.

03/13/2011

Hello World of Fellow Lampshade Makers or perhaps you might be thinking about learning. The internet has made the world a smaller place to meet fellow lampshade designers and makers. We are a growing niche as consumers are getting a taste of great lampshades in the shelter magazines and new web magazines.

I love to hear from other lampshade makers. I've reached out to a few and others have contacted me. We all have our own styles and favorite sources. All of my contacts have been excited to share our sources and tell of some great "find".

Most of the lampshade materials are hard to find. I will give you that! I have to admit it was a question my publisher's asked before they accepted my book contract. How clever of them. It is not impossible to find materials, but it is harder than some crafts. And at times it takes some creative thinking.

In The States our main source is The Lampshop in Concord, NH. They have been a resource for me for over 20 years. Colby and gang run The Lampshop. It's been around for longer than I know; his mom ran it before Colby took over the helm. They are mostly an online source although they are open a couple of days a week. Give them a call first; I think it's Tuesdays that they are open. The Lamp Shop has ALL of the materials needed, glue, frames, styrene, trims, etc. We are lucky to have them.

Mainely Shades of Portland, Maine was also a main lampshade source; they are no longer selling lampshade materials.

I hear from many of you in far away spots like New Zealand, Austria, Philippines, South Africa, France, UK, etc. You tell me that you have a hard time finding materials. I tried to search out to a few small lampshade companies in Australia for a query on supplies. They said they were happy to sell some styrene if asked. I know that Artistic Bias will export 50 yards of styrene to a legitimate business. I am at the point of my business that I order 25 or 50 yards at a time. It's heavy stuff and shipping is a consideration.

So what else to do if you can't find materials????

this is the real time for creativity. One of my new friends can not get Pressure Sensitive Styrene where she lives, so she makes sewn shades and renovates old wires. (if you do this, make sure to sand and paint old wire due to rusting) Note to new lampshade makers: not all lampshade frames will work for making hardback shades; some are for sewn shades only.

If you are a lampshade maker and happen to have stumbled on my blog, please feel free to share some source tips you have found around the world. I am sure it will be appreciated.

It is my feeling that the more we share the more we receive!

Or at least that's my experience. I remember the days of trekking to the library to search through those big blue Thompson books with all the companies addresses and telephone numbers. This sure dates me! Life before the internet.

pressure sensitive styrene is the backing for hard back shades in certain parts of the world. Some countries also use pressure sensitive vinyl. I think it is quite similar. When neither are avalable you could always use a spray adhesive to laminate fabric to something that is translucent; not sure what but just take precautions with the spray toxins.

lampshade wires or frames styles vary significantly country to country. The UK uses a no thread uno for many table lamps; we use a clip on or washer top w/ finial. Drum shades seem to be popular all over the world. Wow. that's cool, isn't it. And, Yes, Drum shades are pretty easy to make, too. I've written many a blog post here on The Lampshade Lady Blog. Styles come slow to New England where classic tradition lingers, but drum shades are catching on with some of my students and customers. Just look on Etsy and see how many are avalable! LOTS of fun drum shades in a variety of styles. I have just found a super fixture for hanging a drum shade that I will be posting shortly. (fellow lampshade designer shared her source:)

Fabrics are everywhere. That said, I spend a huge of time trying to find the perfect fabric. I always peek at ebay and most likely if I counted all the time searching for that "great stuff" my lampshades would be 3 times more expensive. When looking for fabric for lampshades I ask myself, "Will I be sick of it in a year????" Does the fabric you choose have lasting power or is it too trendy? fun today-passe tomorrow? I'm looking through my house right now (It's Sunday, my day off and yes I'm working-sort of) and love most of my fabric choices. It's a mix up crazy house of colors and styles but I think it works and is comfortable and very livable. The old paisley shawls go great with my Swedish Tio Gruppen contemporary fabric. My motto of interior design is a bit sketchy: buy what you like and it will all go together! Ha. I know I would have flunked out of Interior Design School! I just hate it when rooms match TOO perectly. I still laugh about an old neighbor that bought page 24 of one of our well known home goods catalogs; it sure went together well! To wrap up fabrics- I love vintage stuff and it has lots of staying power, just look how long shabby chic has been hanging on. As well as how it blends with contemporary decor, too.

Note of caution: I do worry when I see lace and crochet drapped on top of lamps. I think this is a huge fire issue and would avoid it. It does look romantic but....I see it so many times in the Shelter Mags and wonder if they are putting out the wrong message.

Fire hazards are always something to consider if using alternative materials when making lampshades, whether it's paper, fabric, plastic or ??? Please use caution. The larger the shade the higher the wattage you can use. The compact florescent light bulbs are handy considering they do not get as hot.

I hope to hear from the other Lampshade Ladies out there, Lampshade Guys, too. (that sounds funny, but I know they are out there!)

Workshop Update: April 16th Workshop in Vermont is full. I still have a few spots left for the 14th of April, Thursday.

My shop will be closed March 19-28. Gone Spring Skiing! Praying for some much needed sunshine; it's been gray here for too long.

02/22/2011

April will be here before we know it.... I'm trying to fool myself as the snowbanks at my shop are many feet deep. But yes, it WILL be here before we know it. The days are getting longer.

I have decided to offer 2 separate classes in April. It is always the busiest time of year for workshops and never have enough room for all. Some people like mid-week and others Saturdays. If you were thinking about Saturday, don't delay; it is starting to fill. There is still lots of room on Thursday. Cost $175, all materials included except fabric. Usually students enjoy bringing their own fabrics, but if you don't have any........ there's lots here.

Classes start at 11am and run till about 4:30-5pm. This is from my Valentine's Day workshop. Look at all the great shades they are making. I am amazed how different all our shades are from the workshops. There is something very special about working together as a group of women and sometimes guys, too. Lots of laughs and always best when no one takes it too seriously!!!! Just let the creativity flow. This is the start of a workshop, before most students have arrived. I can fit only 6-8 students in my little shop. This is the calm before the storm. Oh, the mess that we made. Thanks for the photo, Tom.

To register, email me judylake@vermontel.net or call the shop at 802-325-6308. Reservations are a must as you can see it is LOTS of work prepping for the class and if you don't show, someone else might have liked your spot. My last class I turned students away and then one didn't show up......Karma....oh well, breathe Judy.... giving workshops are a blast, but the organizational piece....deep breath.

This is the last Vermont workshop till October. I don't have airconditioning and summer gets too busy.

02/15/2011

That sounds easy enough. Right? Some projects sound so easy, but pull your hair out every step of the way. What size to do. I settled on a 13 x 13 x 11 Drum Shade. I usually don't do quite so deep a drum shade, but the pattern on this fabric worked best this way. After cutting my pattern of styrene out..... I realized I didn't have the 13" washer top... so it became a 12" x 12" x 11" high. Iron fabric. Love this fabric. It's a Japanese fabric designed by Etsuko Furuya. I've seen it all over the web, I got mine at, Alewives Fabrics in Maine. They have a beautiful site that's easy to use. Check them out. Cut styrene and laminate to fabric. Sounds easy, but opps I cut the fabric the wrong way. This fabric has birds and yupp, they were sideways when I cut the fabric... try again. Good thing I didn't make a big shade; this fabric is not super wide and the design goes across the fabric.This is how I cut the pattern. I am planning on using a hanging trim on the bottom and use a grosgrain ribbon, too. On the bottom I cut the fabric flush to the end of the styrene. On the top, I plan on wrapping the fabric around the top wire; I have left about 3/4" of fabric. On one end I cut the fabric flush to the styene and the other I left 1/4" to glue to inside of shade for clean edge. Adding glue to the end. Folding fabric on end to inside of styrene. I like to start gluing the top first. It allows me to hold on to the middle of the wire washer top and walk it along the edge. You can see the top fabric that will glue and wrap to the inside of the shade. And another sort of boo boo... hum, look how the fabrics came together in the back. drats. Repeat of pattern. I used a contrasting self trim on the seam to break it up. To make lampshades is often being a problem solver.... It drives me slightly crazy how this worked out, but it will have to do. It is what it is.... Adding the grosgrain on the bottom. Inside of shade. I used a 3/8" grosgrain on the inside seam, not necessary, but it looks more professional.

I also used a soutache on the inside top. I added this after I had folded the fabric to the inside of shade. It too is not necessary, but is a nice finish. Last I added the bottom trim. And..... of course there was a hang up there, too. As I was gluing the trim on, I noticed as I got to the end there was one without the little turquoise ball....wouldn't you know it. To save the day, I cut the end on a diagonal and glued it down and then started another piece and overlapped just a little. You can hardly notice it...

Some days go smooth and others............the lampshade lady just might be saying the f word.....( I always threaten that will be my next book, ha! much to my mother's horrors) (and I can hear Shirley laughing, Shirley is a very fine seamstress and designer that occasionally might use those words:))

01/19/2011

Oct 7 &8 (Friday and Sat.) We had fun this past fall despite hair pulling last minute switch up and out and in's with student count.... I know things change in all of our lives, but always hard to plan for classes. And sometimes planes just don't fly.... drats, such dissapointments, but this year we will make up for it.

and also some delicious sparkling wine from my friends at Hick's Orchard, just across the border in NY state.

We will start with a mid-size shade to get the basics down and then proceed on to a more advanced shade. Last year I had a game plan for the 2nd project, but on thinking over the day I realized that part of the group was super interested in learning drum shades and the other group wanted to do another hex shade. Soooo, I went with it and we were off and running. A bit chaotic, but everyone was happy with their projects. As I say, go with the creativity of the moment.

This year I will be charging a little less $$, but students will bring lunch or pick it up at Machs, our general store. For city folks, the general store is a favorite, quaint place. Saturday we will start at 10 am and work through the day till 4pm. Students may purchase materials after the workshop.

If you are interested in taking the workshop please email me, judylake@vermontel.net or call the shop 802-325-6308. Reservations are a must and spots are limited due to size of studio. I will be asking for a 50% deposit at enrollment. (credit cards are okay)

Update on other workshops:

Feb. 12th workshop is full, waitlist

April 16th has a few spots left.

I am working on scheduling a Nantucket Workshop for the end of the summer.

01/17/2011

Glue may seem like a pretty basic topic, but if you are making lampshades it's pretty important to use the right stuff. This will be a very DRY blog post..... ha. ha. had to make a crack on such a dull post post. I have been using the same glue for over 20 years so I am admittedly biased in my glue choice. I think that most lampshade makers use QUICK GLUE. I may be wrong and would love to hear from you if you have craft glues that you like better.

Quick Glue is a white glue that dries clear and fast. Time depends on the project, but if you are putting a shade together it is about 15-20 minutes. If you are making trims it is tacky enough right away. I have students that also used glues similar to Aleenes Tacky Glue, but tend to like the Quick Glue better. I'm happy with the Quick Variety. It is available at The Lamp Shop in Concord, N.H.

I have lots of these plastic squeeze bottles kicking around my shop. They will last for many refills. Grab you pliers or if you have strong hands, pull out the top of the glue bottle and refill. I buy a gallon of glue at a time and fill it into a smaller glue bottle and then into the squeeze bottles. Have a paper towel around because it almost always spills out a tad. Shove the top back into the plastic bottle. Most importantly, try not to loose the TOP! Happy Glue Bottles..... ready to go. Tip: they often clog. Keep a paper clip handy for such constant occasions...

I am forever having gluey hands. Some day my track pad on my MacBook Pro is going to rebel. I try to clean my hands before I flip around at my desk and hit the computer. My clothes are always slighting gluey, too. To my mothers horrors my pants always get glue on them, shirts, too. Quite frankly I'm more worried about my favorite laptop as it surely doesn't scroll as nice as it used to.

The neck of the glue bottle is handy to spread the glue out.

Enough.... oh ya, one more glue thing I learned. I tried making finials years ago and used a glue gun to attach all these cool beads. One by one they all dropped off due to the heat of the light. Good thing I didn't sell any.....

Questions:

Do you use a glue gun?

Only on times when the decorative trim I am adding on top of the grosgrain won't stick with the quick glue. Or if the fabric will not glue together to make a self trim. Sometimes the fabrics have so much sizing or ??? that they won't glue up. Then I will use a stronger glue like an upholstery glue or glue gun.

Feel free to add your comments. I think I have made my blog easier to make comments... I hope, I hope....

12/14/2010

I just finished a pair of these square shades. A sweet gift. I used an Amy Butler cotton, one of the heavier weight cottons that she has. I was on a roll with dots. Also just used up the last of my favorite vintage dot cotton. It's always so sad when you run out of a favorite vintage fabric. Sometimes you find it again; which can be like finding an old friend. Yesterday after finishing this I started on the how-to photos. Instead of lots of my scribbling I will post mostly the how to photos with short notes. step 1: make template step 2: cut 3 more with template step 3: laminate to fabric step 4: trim panels step 5: glue onto frame step 6: hold panels with long ribbon step 7: make trims for vertical step 8: glue up self-trims with quick glue from The Lampshop. step 9: figure out trims. sometimes easier said than done!!! step 10: pick grosgrain out and rest of trims. This fabric was particularly hard to find the right colors, but these were pretty nice. step 11: add grosgrain to bottom and top. step 12: add decorative trim from MJ Trim onto grosgrain.(trim was not on their website...but in store) step 13: detail of glue on top of shade/ make little snip at brass wire step 14: add decorative grosgrain on top. Oh, the unpredictable is good. And only had enough for one of the shades.... so must figure out something for the other.... always hard to have lots of yardage of trim on hand, but I'm not too matchy anyway....(except most customers are, but maybe not the ones that might like this fun mix of materials) step 15: smile and sell it! (or give it away....).... or take it home:)

Hope you are enjoying the holiday count down. We just got about 6" of fluffy snow. Bright and pretty out. Gotta get back to finishing up my orders. As you can see making lampshades isn't too hard if you can find the trims and fabrics.

As always, The Lampshop in Concord, NH is a reliable, helpful source for lampshade making materials. Give them a call or check out their website. http://www.lampshop.com

12/09/2010

Vintage Monograms make great shades. They are a little hard to make up for inventory in my shop; it's best to use common letters and then take orders. B's, S's, T's, are good choices. I love this one; it's so nice and thick. I took pictures today as I was making it. No fancy photography, but hands on how-to. It's always interesting taking a picture and holding a glue bottle and a trim at the same time.... not quite like book production, but I think you'll get the idea. I cut 6 panels out of styrene for the hex bell frame, 5" top x 8" bottom x 6" high. I thought it would fit the monogram nicely. I had considered using the fabric behind the panels for the trim, but decided to save it for a couple big shades, it's a hard to find pretty barkcloth. Panels are glued onto the galvanized frame. Run a bead of glue around the 4 sides of the panel opening and set styrene/fabric panel and clip into place with clothespins. I like to use a long piece of grosgrain ribbon to hold panels in place. A good time to adjust and then let them dry, about 20 minutes. Vertical trim goes on next. Next step is to choose the trim fabric. I thought this one might look nice, but decided against it.This cloth tape is what I use to make the self trims. It is pressure sensitive on one side. The Lampshop carries it and it is called Bias Trim Fold Backer. I usually just call it pressure sensitive cloth tape. Trim decision: believe me, this can be the hardest decision of the project or maybe I am just too fussy, but I know my customers can be as fussy as I am. I love, love this hydrangea vintage fabric. The colors are subtle and will go with a variety of decors. I wish I had more of this hydrangea fabric..... keep your eyes out for me. It is a Vintage French Cretonne Fabric; it has a mini cord to it. I have used the cloth tape to make self-trims. 6 6" vertical strips and cut grosgrain for the top and bottom. I use the grosgrain to measure out the length of the self trim. I have used the Vintage Hyranga for both sides and top and bottom. Grosgrain MUST have at least 40% cotton- or else.... To glue the self-trim. Glue one side at a time. Hand press to make a nice crisp edge. I like to do the edge away from me and fold towards me. You'll probably find your own ways you like to do things. Fold over the other side. I use Quick Glue that comes from The Lamp Shop in Concord, N.H. It is transfered into these reuseable squeeze bottles. Add the strips to finish the vertical edges. I make a valley on the backside of the strip and add a fair amount of glue. Pick up any excess glue with your fingernails. It is easiest to do this with the shade on it's side. When all vertical self-trims are added, trim up excess fabric. Trim up any extra styrene, too. The smoother it is the smoother the grosgrain will look. Add grosgrain to the bottom. Half will go on the outside of shade and rest will turn and glue to the inside of the shade. Start in the back of the shade if there is a back. Cut on diagonal, adding glue, one panel at a time. glue detail Add glue to inside of grosgrain and turn around wire and tuck inside wire. Make 1/8th snips by wire clip to allow ribbon to go on either side of wire. (blogger, me.... multitasking.... small budget, must take photo, hold glue bottle and type at night!) Ha. To Make top and bottom self-trims. Make them the same way as the vertical trims without the valley on the back. Add glue onto the back of the self-trim and set onto the edge of the bottom of shade. Do a few inches at a time. Use one clothespin and walk it around the shade. If you leave it on too long it will leave an indent. Smile, this is the easiest part and so rewarding. You are almost finished. Yes, it will look great. The trim will cover up most boo boos. You could also use a decorative trim or tassel here. Over lap the self-trim. Cut on a diagonal and overlap a smidgen. Do the same for the top trim.

A personalized gift. Search your linen closets and antique shops for linen tea towels. They are so nice and soft, washed over and over again. Vintage linen makes up beautiful, much easier than new fabrics.

And if you think this is fun, Please pick up my book, The Lampshade Lady's Guide to Lighting up Your Life, (Potter Craft, 2009) and give it as a gift to your crafty friends. It's little growing niche. Start a cottage industry in your neck of the woods or just get inspired.

Happy Holidays,

judy lake

ps only one spot left in the Feb.12th workshop. I could add another date if there is enough interest.

10/28/2010

Here's some Vintage trims I've searched out. One fair warning.... a little bag of trim can add up quickly dollar-wise. I'm always keeping an eye out for trims. Purchasing trims is lots of fun, of course. A few new trims. Sweet organza purple floral and a grosgrain stripe. I have found that if the grosgrain has some cotton in the fiber content it will glue on much nicer than a polyester. a few more vintage treasures. The bottom embroidery is a embroidery strip that I think was used in sewing to be inserted on a blouse or dress. new and vintage woven braids. I like to wrap them on cardboard in pretty patterns, although they are forever getting messy... I was doing my "long list" of errands on a day off last week and stopped into Joanne's Fabric Store. I needed a few mini pompoms and also loved this shimmering rhinestone trim. Someone once told me to put the pompoms in the wash and they'll get fluffy -haven't tried it yet. another pretty cache. this funky trim has been a hit this summer in my shop. add a fun trim to a wild vintage print. this shade is getting an edging from a dresser scarf. Just fold the raw edge back to the back of the strip of fabric and glue. easy as pie. (photo G.Bouret)

As I have been know to say, It can make it or break it. If you aren't sure, give it a try and come back later. They'll usually come off with a careful tug.

gotta run, it's my husband's birthday and we are firing up the brick oven for a bunch of awesome pizzas for his band- we prepped this am: olive paste pizza, potatoes, bacon and sour cream with herbs, a new one Nacho Chips w/Chicken and Salsa- yummy good, a veggie one, a white clam one, a tart flambe with smoked salmon and creme fraiche. wicked good. And I made our favorite Almond Torte with Jelly in the middle and whipped cream on top and hopefully raspberries to top it off w/a bit of cocoa nibs, too.

If you are interested in the workshops, don't be dissapointed by missing out; space is limited.